Electric City Chargers Lose Heartbreaker to Miners

The NEPA Miners held off a furious Electric City comeback bid in the final seconds to post a 21-20 RAFL victory Saturday night at Sharkey Rosetti Memorial Stadium.

By Kevin Edwards

Wayne Independent - Honesdale, PA

By Kevin Edwards

Posted Aug. 1, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 1, 2012 at 1:20 AM

By Kevin Edwards

Posted Aug. 1, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 1, 2012 at 1:20 AM

Varden, Pa.

Saturday’s showdown between the Electric City Chargers and NEPA Miners lived up to its billing...and local gridiron fans ate it up.

Electric City hosted its archrival at Sharkey Rosetti Memorial Stadium and the two teams battled right down to the final gun before the visitors escaped with a 21-20 victory.

“To say this was a frustrating loss doesn’t even begin to cover how I?feel,” Coach Rich Hall told TWI Sports. “We dominated them in every aspect of this game and we absolutely deserved to win. Mark my words...and you can quote me: we’ve got seven games left and we’re going to win them all.”

The Chargers, fresh off a 14-1 campaign, continue to struggle in 2012. On the heels of this loss, Electric City’s record falls to 2-3 on the season (1-2, RAFL).

“I honestly believe that the officials stole that game from us,”?Coach Hall said. “It’s ridiculous how many penalties they called on us. From here on out, though, it’s going to be different. We’re taking no prisoners. The next time we play the Miners, we’re going to hang 70 on them.”

Electric City has a bye this coming weekend, but returns to action Saturday, August 11th against the Philadelphia Hornets. This is a crossover game with the Independent Football League.

With this win, the Miners upped their overall record to 5-0. NEPA is now 3-0 in Regional American Football League action.

Fast Start

Electric City tallied first on this rain-soaked night in Varden. The Chargers took the ball on their opening possession and marched right downfield.

Quarterback Tim McFarland capped the drive with a 25-yard TD pass to wide receiver Earl Chaptman. The try for conversion was no good, but the Chargers led 6-0 with 3:28 left in the first quarter.

The Miners struck back on the final play of the period when Jared Manzer broke loose for a 53-yard TD reception.

Meanwhile, McFarland was busy carving up the Miners’ defense. Electric City’s quarterback completed 12 passes for nearly 250 yards before being forced out of the game by a gash that required 11 stitches.

Back-up QB Quinn Buckner, a graduate of Wilkes Barre GAR, came on in relief and did a stellar job. Buckner ran for 84 yards and threw for another 33.

“Quinn did an outstanding job,”?said Coach Hall. “The Miners couldn’t stop him. He can do it all.”